Recommendations for a light-as-possible bike?
Discussion
I'm planning on getting in on our Cycle to Work scheme, and pick up my first bike in maybe more than 10 years.
I work 2 miles of city street away from my home, and always intended to get a bike for it, but never could spare the money, and now that I'm getting married at the end of the year there really isn't any such thing as spare cash foating around, so a new bike through CTW it has to be.
I'm not planning on donning lycra or hitting country roads - just commuting, mainly on the flat, maybe the odd hilly street, and I'd like to have the option of taking the long way home to try and help lose some weight before the big day (3 stone so far, and counting!).
Anyway, the catch is I live on a top floor flat, at the height of about 80 big ol' Glasgow tenement stone steps. For me to realistically leave the car keys behind, I'd need to carry the thing up and down the stairs relatively easily.
Also, I have no space to keep it in the flat itself, so it will be chained up to the railings out in the (secure) stairway - so I'm keeping the budget low at £500.
I don't expect the best names and tech for the budget, but I am looking for as much engineered-in weight saving as possible at that price point. Does anyone have any suggestions that are quite easily available?
I work 2 miles of city street away from my home, and always intended to get a bike for it, but never could spare the money, and now that I'm getting married at the end of the year there really isn't any such thing as spare cash foating around, so a new bike through CTW it has to be.
I'm not planning on donning lycra or hitting country roads - just commuting, mainly on the flat, maybe the odd hilly street, and I'd like to have the option of taking the long way home to try and help lose some weight before the big day (3 stone so far, and counting!).
Anyway, the catch is I live on a top floor flat, at the height of about 80 big ol' Glasgow tenement stone steps. For me to realistically leave the car keys behind, I'd need to carry the thing up and down the stairs relatively easily.
Also, I have no space to keep it in the flat itself, so it will be chained up to the railings out in the (secure) stairway - so I'm keeping the budget low at £500.
I don't expect the best names and tech for the budget, but I am looking for as much engineered-in weight saving as possible at that price point. Does anyone have any suggestions that are quite easily available?
i would be tempted to get a brompton equivalent type bike i.e. one that folds up easily so that you can take it up and down the stairs. weight isn't so much of an issue when you can carry something more easily. bromptons are about twice your budget, but i'm sure there is a cheap imitation out there. you're only riding 2 miles, so it doesn't really matter.
edited to add: if you do a google search for folding bike, there are loads of cheap options, even some from asda for £150, although the dahon speed from wiggle seems good enough.
edited to add: if you do a google search for folding bike, there are loads of cheap options, even some from asda for £150, although the dahon speed from wiggle seems good enough.
Edited by Rob_T on Tuesday 10th June 12:13
I had considered something along those lines. I think there's a Raleigh within the price range that has decent enough reviews.
I just wasn't sure if they'd come recommended for pot-holed city streets and for a spot of exercise after work.
TBH they would make alot of sense in my situation because I drive a Clubman, and live in a flat so space is always going to be a premium.
Downside: I work in a manufacturing facility. The shop floor guys would get a laugh watching me pedal in through the gates on one
I just wasn't sure if they'd come recommended for pot-holed city streets and for a spot of exercise after work.
TBH they would make alot of sense in my situation because I drive a Clubman, and live in a flat so space is always going to be a premium.
Downside: I work in a manufacturing facility. The shop floor guys would get a laugh watching me pedal in through the gates on one
Both excellent ideas!
I've had a look at the stores that our scheme is associated with and the selection is pretty poor to be honest, although there are 2 types of the Dahon folders available, and the usual selection of Giant and Ridgebacks that you'd expect at that price point.
As much as I like the practicality of a folding bike, I just wonder if I'll be too limited to shorter outings on it. Next year I might have caught the bug and fancy going for longer rides so I think a 'normal' bike might be the better option for the future.
Problem is I suppose - I don't know what actually is light for a bike. I saw this fairly pretty looking thing, and reading a review it says it comes in at 10kg. That sounds pretty do-able and is a kilo or two lighter the others as far as I can see. Does anyone have any experience with that model?
I've had a look at the stores that our scheme is associated with and the selection is pretty poor to be honest, although there are 2 types of the Dahon folders available, and the usual selection of Giant and Ridgebacks that you'd expect at that price point.
As much as I like the practicality of a folding bike, I just wonder if I'll be too limited to shorter outings on it. Next year I might have caught the bug and fancy going for longer rides so I think a 'normal' bike might be the better option for the future.
Problem is I suppose - I don't know what actually is light for a bike. I saw this fairly pretty looking thing, and reading a review it says it comes in at 10kg. That sounds pretty do-able and is a kilo or two lighter the others as far as I can see. Does anyone have any experience with that model?
Rob_T said:
i would be tempted to get a brompton equivalent type bike… bromptons are about twice your budget, but i'm sure there is a cheap imitation out there.
Ms Gruffy has just switched to a full road bike for doing sportives with me, so her Brompton is currently on eBay. I think she's expecting to see £600 for it, as a guide. If you're keen I can ask her to dig out a link. Great little things. We both rode hers, despite her being 5'1" and me being 6'4". If she can carry it up the stairs at her size then you know you'll have no bother.Thats good to hear on the fold-ups guys, thanks alot for that. I suppose I might be able to keep it in the car, it would depend on the size once its folded up. The only issue with that is the Clubman has no parcel shelf, so it would be in plain view in the car, parked out on the street. I'd be worried it might tempt an opportune theif hoping to get a Brompton to try his luck (and then be pissed off when he finds a £150 Asda spesh ).
But at that size I doubt I'd be too fussed carting it up and down the steps anyway and I like the idea of being able to bring it into the house rather than leave it on the landing. Funnily enough though, the Dohans I am looking at are still about 13kg, so just as 'heavy' as some of the full sized bikes. That Whyte Portobello is actually a good bit lighter!
As for the eBay option - I'm taking advantage of the bike to work scheme, so I'm tied to using particular stores, and will need to be brand new I guess.
).But at that size I doubt I'd be too fussed carting it up and down the steps anyway and I like the idea of being able to bring it into the house rather than leave it on the landing. Funnily enough though, the Dohans I am looking at are still about 13kg, so just as 'heavy' as some of the full sized bikes. That Whyte Portobello is actually a good bit lighter!
As for the eBay option - I'm taking advantage of the bike to work scheme, so I'm tied to using particular stores, and will need to be brand new I guess.
TwistingMyMelon said:
If it was me I would just bite the bullet, buy whatever bike fits and suits my riding and cart it up the steps, treating it as an extra workout
I know. My only thought on that was that 2 weeks in, I might just make any excuse to just take the car. Also I don't really have a riding style as yet. Weight was the only deciding factor that I could take into account at the moment to consider options.ewenm said:
I'd be donning the running shoes for a 2 mile commute and keeping the £400 change.
I tried for a while but I'm really not built for running yet - I did a proper number on my shins by being over enthusiastic and under prepared. I used to be close to 19 stone 8 months ago, I'm down to close to 15 now, all thanks to low impact exercise indoors and dog walking. I see bike riding as a way into more athletic pursuits and getting a bit of stamina up.Edited by Wrathalanche on Tuesday 10th June 15:00
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